Texas shook off a rough start and produced the biggest fourth-quarter comeback ever against an AP No. 1 team, while Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame kept rolling in a busy week that reshuffled the national picture.
Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns were staring at a 23-3 deficit heading into the fourth against a very talented Ohio State team, but Arch Manning settled in and showed tremendous poise when Texas needed it most. The Longhorns ripped off 21 unanswered points in the final quarter, capped by Hollywood Smothers’ game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds left. Texas’ defense also slammed the door in the fourth, turning a lopsided night into a 24-23 stunner.
Georgia stayed in that upper tier with a 70-20 blowout of Western Kentucky. Gunner Stockton kept building his early-season résumé, throwing five touchdown passes and tying a Georgia school record.
The Bulldogs led 49-0 at halftime and have now scored at least 60 points in each of their first two games. Their next stop is a much bigger one: a trip to Fayetteville for their SEC opener against Arkansas.
Notre Dame made its own statement in a 52-0 shutout of Rice. CJ Carr accounted for four touchdowns, and the Irish defense had the Owls completely bottled up. After opening the year with two convincing wins, Notre Dame gets Michigan State at home Saturday, a chance to show it can keep the same standard against a more competitive opponent.
Miami was just as explosive, rolling past Florida A&M 77-7 and setting a school record with 856 yards of total offense. Darian Mensah continues to look like one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, and with Malachi Toney plus a dangerous rushing attack, the Hurricanes have been piling up points in a hurry. Their first ACC test comes at Wake Forest, a game that should tell a lot more about whether Miami is truly a national championship contender.
Ohio State, despite the loss to Texas, still had plenty of offensive fireworks. Julian Sayin threw for 278 yards, and Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown in the 24-23 setback. The Buckeyes return home for Kent State before Big Ten play begins against Illinois.
Alabama opened SEC play with a 45-17 win over Kentucky after a shaky first half. The Crimson Tide trailed 17-13 at halftime, then slammed the door by outscoring Kentucky 32-0 after the break. Now comes a much bigger measuring stick with Florida State coming to town, a chance for Kalen DeBoer’s team to show it can line up with the country’s best.
Indiana has been flattening opponents early, and Howard was the latest to feel it in a 55-0 loss. Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have outscored their first two opponents 107-16, with the defense standing out and the offense continuing to put up huge numbers. Western Kentucky comes to Bloomington on Saturday in Indiana’s final tune-up before Big Ten play.
Texas A&M also strengthened its early case with a 48-20 win over Arizona State, even while being outgained. The Aggies forced four turnovers and owned the fourth quarter, with Marcel Reed throwing three touchdown passes and the defense scoring twice on interceptions. Kentucky is next as SEC play begins, and if Texas A&M can tighten up offensively while keeping that aggressive edge on defense, it could be a real problem in this league.
LSU moved to 2-0 with a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech, but the first half was messy. The Tigers turned it over four times and only led 10-7 at the break before Lane Kiffin’s team turned on the gas after halftime, scoring 35 points. The schedule gets much tougher now with a trip to Oxford to face Ole Miss in Lane Kiffin’s return at Oxford.
Texas Tech kept building its own case in the Big 12 with a 35-24 road win over Oregon State. Will Hammond has looked sharp at quarterback, and the defense has continued to carry plenty of weight.
The Red Raiders now get their first Big 12 game at home against No. 22 Houston on Friday, with a chance to pick up a key conference win and add to their College Football Playoff case.
Ole Miss stayed unbeaten with a 41-9 win over Charlotte, and the Rebels have looked impressive through two weeks. Trinidad Chambliss has played extremely well at quarterback, while Kewan Lacy has remained a major part of the run game. LSU’s trip to Oxford now gives Ole Miss a major chance to show it belongs among the SEC’s best and is a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.
Tennessee rounded out the group with another strong showing, taking a 45-24 road win over Georgia Tech. The Volunteers controlled the ground game with 299 rushing yards, and freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon flashed his upside with two touchdown passes. Kennesaw State is next before Tennessee opens SEC play against Texas.
In Other News...
Razorback Stadium Had A Wild Pregame Visitor Before Arkansas Faced Georgia
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium got an unusual bit of pregame entertainment before Georgia and Arkansas kicked off, as a skunk was spotted wandering around the field. It was the kind of odd scene that tends to get passed around fast on a Saturday, especially with a conference game drawing plenty of attention and the Bulldogs arriving as a heavy favorite on ABC.
Georgias trip to Fayetteville came with the usual backdrop of recent form and the long history between the programs, but the scene before kickoff briefly stole the show. Arkansas had a chance to defend its home turf in a game that already carried a steep spread, and the pregame visitor only added to the sense that this one might have a few unexpected moments before the real action settled in. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Suddenly Has A Nate Frazier Concern It Didnt Want
Georgias backfield took an unwelcome hit against Arkansas when starting running back Nate Frazier went down with a lower leg injury and had to leave the field limping. He briefly reappeared on the sideline moving well enough to sprint, but later was seen walking with a noticeable limp before heading to the locker room, a sequence that put an immediate spotlight on his status as the game unfolded.
Kirby Smart is expected to have more clarity after the game, and Georgia is also waiting on another injury situation after transfer wide receiver Isiah Canion left in the first half and did not return. For a team trying to keep momentum, the concern is not just who missed time on Saturday, but how much those absences might linger going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia's Arkansas Win Came With One Concern Fans Can't Ignore
Georgias 45-17 win over Arkansas had plenty to like, especially the way the Bulldogs leaned into their ground game and controlled the night from start to finish. Gunner Stockton gave the offense a steady edge with 97 rushing yards while also going 10 of 13 for 147 yards and a touchdown, and Chauncey Bowens turned in the kind of finishing work Georgia has come to expect with three scores. Add in a defense that kept pressure on Arkansas and came away with multiple sacks, and it was the sort of performance that usually leaves a staff feeling good on the ride home.
Still, one injury in the passing game could linger beyond the final score. Isiah Canion had to leave with a leg injury, and even in a game where the Bulldogs found success on the ground, any concern at receiver is worth watching as the schedule moves on. Georgias offense looked balanced enough to handle the moment against Arkansas, but the health of its wideout group remains the kind of detail that can matter quickly once the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]